Oyo State Denies Reports of Abducted Teachers, Students' Release Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Viral social media posts claiming the release of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State have been officially debunked by the state government. Abayomi Fagbenro, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, clarified on Thursday morning that no such release had occurred, directly contradicting the circulating online narratives.

The incident, which saw gunmen invade three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, led to the tragic deaths of at least two individuals and the kidnapping of approximately 30 teachers and students. The conflicting reports of their release have added to the distress of families and the wider community, highlighting the challenges of information dissemination during security crises.

Efforts to secure the safe return of the hostages are being intensified, with the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirming that no information regarding their release was available as of Wednesday night. The Inspector-General of Police has dispatched additional detectives from Abuja to aid the joint security team, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Defence Headquarters have also called for swift and effective rescue operations. Governor Makinde has assured that all efforts are being made to resolve the situation, emphasizing the gravity of the attack on the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and LEA Primary School.

This situation underscores the persistent security challenges faced in parts of Nigeria, where abductions for ransom or other motives continue to pose a significant threat to civilian safety, particularly in educational institutions. The swiftness with which unverified claims spread online also presents a secondary challenge, potentially creating false hope or misinformation amidst a sensitive security operation.

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As of 10:35 am, it’s not true.